Emergency treatment tank

ABSTRACT

A treatment tank for emergency burn victims. The tank is in an elongated rectangular form of minimum volume so as to permit maximum responsiveness in controlling temperature changes of a patient immersed therein. The tank is designed to complement an articulated patient-supporting platform supported at its ends by elevating cable and winch assemblies. By manipulating the respective winches, the platform can be adjusted to raise or lower either end of the reclining patient, or to elevate the head or lower the feet as desired. Liquid circulating apparatus is provided for control of the liquid bath.

United States Patent Etten et al.

[54] EMERGENCY TREATMENT TANK 22 Filed: Dec.3l, 1970 211 Appl.No.:103,066

[52] US. Cl ..128/369, 128/66 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lh 33/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..128/66, 365, 369', 4/185 L [451 Sept. 19, 1972 PrimaryExaminer-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Wells, St. John & Roberts [5 7]ABSTRACT A treatment tank for emergency burn victims. The tank is in anelongated rectangular form of minimum volume so as to permit maximumresponsiveness in' controlling temperature changes of a patient immersedtherein. The tank is designed to complement an articulatedpatient-supporting platform supported at its ends by elevating cable andwinch assemblies. By manipulating the respective winches, the platformcan [56] References Cited be adjusted to raise or lower either end ofthe reclin- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing patient, or to elevate the head orlower the feet as desired. Liquid circulating apparatus is provided for1,263,611 4/1918 Scroggin ..4/ 185 L control of the liquid bath3,455,299 7/1969 Gerow ..128/66 2,850,743 9/1958 White ..4/185 L 8Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 L5 ,8 at: 0 :37 I .38

PATENTEDSEP 19 I972 SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR-S Effen LewisCDuncan BY mRonald E PATENTEDSEP 19 I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 40 a 3 FIG. 4 4 2 L WM 35INVENTORS Rona/cl F: EH-en Lewis C.Dunc an BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present apparatus has been developed with respect to the treatmentof burns on human bodies. It is particularly adapted to the treatment ofacute burn cases wherein burns are suffered over large or substantialportions of the persons body.Such patients are severely endangered bothby the physical damage due to the burn and by the usual side effects,such as shock and loss of blood plasma around the burned area. Immediatecooling of the skin under controlled conditions in a liquid bath canoften lessen the degree of burn damage to the skin.

Where burns occur over a substantial part of the body area, substantialemergency cooling of the patients skin requires almost completeimmersion of the body. During such immersion, the liquid bath must beconstantly recirculated andfiltered, and its temperature must be closelymonitored so as to compensate for rising and falling body temperaturesof the patient. Furthermore, because such treatment must be carried outover a substantial period of time, it is necessary to provide as muchcomfort as possible for the individual patient. This requires latitudein adjustment of the patients support and the ability toraise or lowerthe patient with respect to the bath without touching him.

An example of an apparatus for carrying out a different treatment ofbodies by fluid immersion is shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,455,299. Thetreatment tank is es sentially V-shaped and the persons bodyis supportedby a cradle with the legs apparently extended straight and upwardlyinclined. According to the present apparatus, attention is paid to thecomfort of the patient and to his normal desires to adjust his position,within limits, in order to provide acceptable support of the body whilein the bath. Adjustment is permitted within the bath, while all movingmechanical controls are safely located outside the liquid. Greatlatitude is permitted so as to accommodate the wide variety ofrequirements for supporting persons burned on differing parts of theirbodies. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a treatment tank forburn victims or similar applications comprising an upwardly openrectangular enclosure filled with liquid and an articulatedpatient-supporting platform movably supported within the enclosure,together with means for selectively arresting movement of one portion ofthe platform and permitting articulation of the remainder of theplatform. Articulation of the platform is thereby provided within theliquid so as to enable the users of the device to adjust the patientsposition while immersed.

It is a first object of this invention to provide a highly adjustablepatient support apparatus for a liquid immersion tank capable ofadapting to a wide variety of patient sizes and conditions. Theapparatuscan be used to support a patient in a horizontal, inclined, orarticulated position by use of the several combinations of adjustmentfeatures cited below.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety adjustableapparatus with all control devices located outside the liquid bath.

These and further objects will :be evident from the followingdisclosure, taken also with the accompanying drawings, which disclose apreferred form of the invention. Itis tobe understood that the detailsof the apparatusare not to limit the scope of the invention, which isset out in theappended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewshowing the platform and tank;

FIG.2 is a top view of the treatment tank;

FIG- 3 isan elevational sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2showing the platformin a horizontal condition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to F IG. 3,zillustrating articulation of theplatform components;

FIG. :5 is across-sectional view taken substantially alongline 5- 5 inFIG. 2; t j

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the articulated joint forthe leg supporting portion of the platform; and t FIG.7 isan enlargedfragmentary view showing the guide roller arrangement at the foot of theplatform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus disclosed in thedrawings is designed to provide maximum comfort for a burn victim duringimmersion of his body in a controlled recirculating bath of fluidQThenature of the fluid varies with the type of treatment being carried out,and does not constitute part of the present disclosure. It is to beunderstood, however, that the apparatus can be completely selfcontainedto recirculate, heat, cool and filter the fluid, and that hoses or pipeconnections can be made to a source of fluid for regenerating the fluidcontent as desired.

Thetank itself comprises an upwardly open enclosure 10 of substantiallyrectangular cross-section. It is bounded by two parallel side walls 11transversely spaced fromone another and by opposite end walls 12,

13 respectively adjacent to the head and footof a patient. The upperedges of walls 11, 12 and 13 lie in a common horizontal plane in a toprail which lends rigidity to the structure and permitsauxiliary devices,suchas sprays, to be mounted to the tank as desired.

The enclosure l0 is completed by a bottom wall 14, includinga downwardlysloping area 15 at the foot of the enclosure, designed toaccommodate themovable leg support of the patient platform.

The platform 16 is articulated to permit adjustment of the patientasdesired. It includes a main frame portion 17 generally spanning thelength of the patient from his head to his knees. Pivotally. connectedto the main frameportion 17 is a leg support portion 18. The transverseaxis connecting portions 17 and 18 are denoted in the drawings at .20(FIG. 6). The platform 16 is formed from open rigid frames across whichbody engaging webs can be stretched. In the drawings, the webs areillustrated as being canvas or other fabric squares laced along thesides to the frame sections. They mightalternately be made of anysuitable open mesh webbing,.and can be either permanent ordisposable.For clarity, the webs are not illustrated in the drawings, other than inFIG. 1. In addition to leg support section 18, there is a central seatsection 22, a back rest 23 and two arm rests 25.

The frame for the back rest 23 is pivotally connected to the main frameportion 17 intermediate the ends thereof at 24 (FIG. 4). The back rest23 is selectively locked in position about axis 24 by adjustable braces27 at each side of platform 16. It can be located in a variety ofangular positions as required for the comfort of a particular patient.The arm rests 25 are pivotally connected at one end to the back rest 23and are pivotally supported at the lower ends by arms 26, which remainparallel to the back rest 23. Thus, angular adjustment of back rest 23automatically locates the arm rests 25 by virtue of theirparallelogram-type support on the back rest 23 and arms 26.

To facilitate elevational adjustment of platform 16 within enclosure 10,guiding rollers are provided at the respective ends thereof. At the headof platform 16 are two guide rollers 28, located respectively atopposite sides of platform 16. Two similar rollers 30 are provided atthe foot of platform 16. A vertical track 31, in the shape of aninwardly open channel, is fastened or formed at the interior of the sidewalls 1 1 at the head of enclosure 10. An inclined track 32 is providedat the foot of enclosure along the respective side walls 11, andreceives the respective rollers 30. The inclined track 32 accommodatespivotal movement of the leg support portion 18 about axis 20. The axleextending across the foot of platform 16 and carrying rollers 30 isguided along elongated slots 34 formed through brackets at the sides ofthe leg support portion 18 and biased by springs 19, permittinglongitudinal movement of rollers 30 during pivotal movement whileengaged within the straight inclined tracks 32. The combination ofrollers 28 and 30 provides rolling guides for both ends of platform 16,with the vertical track 31 insuring proper longitudinal positioning ofplatform 16 relative to enclosure 10.

Elevational adjustment of platform 16 is accomplished by a pair ofwinches 35, 36 at the head and foot of the assembly. The winches arepowered by motors 37, 38 respectively. Pulleys 40, 41 at the head andfoot of the enclosure are rotatably mounted about transverse axes. Theyare engaged by cables 42, 43 respectively, which are anchored to winches35, 36 and operatively connected to the respective ends of platform 16.

As seen in FIG. 6, rigid stops 21 project longitudinally beyond the mainframe portion 17, overlapping the upper surfaces of leg support portion18 at each side of platform 16. The stops 21 normally maintain the legsupport portion 18 in a longitudinally aligned condition with respect tothe main frameportion 17. However, when the main frame portion 17 iselevationally supported, independent of cables 43, the leg supportportion 18 is free to pivot about axis 20 to positions angularly locatedbeneath the plane of the main frame portion 17. This is accomplished byresting all or a part of platform 16 on the bottom wall 14 of the tankand continuing to lower the foot of platform 16 by operation of winch 36until the desired angular position between the portions 17 and 18 isattained. This can be accomplished while the main frame 17 is horizontaland in contact with the bottom wall 14, or while the main frame portion17 is inclined so as to contact the bottom wall 14 at only the lower endof portion 17 adjacent to the recessed area 15.

Platform 16 is completed by an adjustable head rest shown at 29. Thehead rest is adjustable in height and position along the back rest 23.

The enclosure 10 is designed to be relatively shallow, permittingcomplete immersion of a patient and angular adjustment of his bodyposition, while minimizing the volume of liquid within the tank. Asshown, varying levels of liquid can be utilized. The level is maintainedby opening horizontal slots 47 at each end wall 12, 13. Slots 47 lead tooverflow outlets 48 connected to liquid return hoses. Two slots 47 areshown in the drawings, one above the other. The upper slot is used whenthe tank is to be full. The lower slot is used when only the recessedtank portion above sloping area 15 is to be used, as for treatment oflower'leg or ankle burns. Liquid is supplied at the bottom of the tank,through an inlet 46. A removable plug 50 is also provided at the bottomof the tank for selectively emptying its con tents.

Room is provided beneath the enclosure 10 for mounting a recirculatingpump and reservoir unit on the frame of the tank. Suitable liquidcooling and heating units can be provided. The liquid handling equipmentcan also be in a separate cabinet (not shown). A central panel 44 isillustrated with control switches 45 for operating the liquid bathcontrols as well as independent control switches for raising andlowering the respective ends of the platform 16 by operation of winches35, 36.

The present apparatus eliminates the necessity of rigidly adjusting theleg rest in platform 16, permitting the leg rest to be inclineddownwardly for patient comfort during immersion, while automaticallyreturning the patient and platform to an extended condition when theplatform 16 is raised from the liquid bath. This provides considerableflexibility in positioning the patient and maintaining his comfortduring immersion. The recessed foot area of the enclosure 10 minimizesthe volume of liquid necessary to accommodate such adjustment of the legsupport, thereby permitting the use of more responsive temperaturecontrols capable of maintaining desired temperature in the smallerliquid volume to compensate for changing patient body temperatureconditions.

The above tank hasbeen specifically designed for emergency treatment ofacute burn victims. It is suitable for use in hospital emergency rooms,industrial first-aid stations or similar locations where burn victimscan be treated as quickly as possible after injury.

The usual liquid used will be water, with or without additionalaereation or oxygenation. The normal liquid temperature will bemaintained at about F. and might be somewhat lower. The purpose ofimmediate or prompt immersion of the burned area is to treat the burndirectly by absorbing the excess calories of heat stored in the skin andadjacent tissue. By lowering the skin temperature, skin hypothermia isminimized. At water temperatures around 70 F. sufficient cooling isachieved within about 5 minutes, evidenced normally by shivering of thepatient. The patient may be maintained in the liquid up to about twohours. His systemic temperature must be monitored during this time, andnot allowed to drop below 88 F.

The above treatment has been found to prevent edema effects and togreatly minimize burn damage. The degree of a burn is often held belowthat which would otherwise prevail without treatment.

One particular advantage of the above structure is the simplicity of theoperating mechanism and elimination of jamming of the moving parts. Thelength of cables 42, 43 should be such as to just permit full loweringof the respective platform ends. Therefore, excess operation of winches35, 36 will merely wrap the cables 42, 43 and raise the platform. Theplatform cannot be immobilized so as to prevent subsequent raising ofthe patient. Should the winches fail or power be lost, the platform canbe manually lifted at its ends to remove the patient.

Patient comfort is achieved by making full use of the buoyancy of thebody in water. Hold-down ties or straps on the platform are necessarywith certain patients. For lower leg or foot burns, the patient can beseated upright, with only his legs immersed. Patients suffering otherphysical injuries can be treated (about the head, for instance) duringimmersion of a burned area. Fog or spray mists can be used to wet andcool body areas above the bath by mounting suitable adjustable nozzlesabout the top rail of the enclosure 10.

The apparatus illustrated can be fully enclosed when desired. Planewalls can be mounted to the top rail and corner posts, all elements ofthe apparatus being within these boundaries.

Various changes might be made in the precise structure illustratedwithout deviating from the basic concepts of the adjustablepatient-support and efficient fluid bath enclosure. Therefore, only thefollowing claims are set out as definitions of the invention disclosedin the above example.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A treatment tank for burn victims and similar applications,comprising:

an enclosure of substantially rectangular configuration at the top edgesthereof; said enclosure presenting an upwardly open recess filled withliquid;

a transversely articulated patient-supporting platform comprising aplurality of longitudinal portions transversely hinged to one anotherand supported by the enclosure for movement in a vertical directionwithin and above the enclosure recess, said platform being movablebetween a raised position adjacent to the top edges of the enclosure andlowered positions beneath the level of fluid within the enclosure;

and means within the enclosure in the path of movement of the platformfor arresting movement of a first portion of said platform whilepermitting continued motion and articulation of the remainder of theplatform relative to said first portion.

2. A tank as set out in claim 1 wherein said platform comprises firstand second portions pivotally joined about a first transverse axis:

and cooperative stop means on said first and second portions normallymaintaining said first and second portions in coplanar alignment, butpermitting the second portion to swing about said axis to an angularposition extending from said axis ownwardl and outw rdl fro the lane ofsaid first portiori when the iirst pon't izm is elevationally supportedindependently of said second portion.

3. A tank as set out in claim 2 further comprising:

first and second independently operable elevating means operativelyconnected between the enclosure and the respective ends of the platformfor elevationally locating the ends of the platform with respect to theenclosure.

4. .A tank as set out in claim 2 wherein the bottom wall of the tanklocated beneath said second portion of the platform is recessed to anelevation below that of the bottom wall beneath said first portion ofthe platform, whereby the second portion is permitted continued movementafter contact of the bottom wall by said first portion.

5. A tank as set out in claim 2 wherein said first portion of theplatform is articulated intermediate its ends about a second axisparallel to said first transverse axis;

and adjustable latching means on said first portion for rigidly fixingthe first portion about said second axis.

6. A tank as set out in claim 2 comprising:

first and second winches located outside said enclosure and operativelyconnected] through cables and pulleys on the enclosure to the respectiveends of the platform;

and cooperative guide means mounted to the interior of the enclosure andthe ends of the platform for maintaining lateral spacing of the platformwithin the enclosure.

7. A tank as set out in claim 1 wherein the platform is articulatedabout a first transverse axis intermediate its longitudinal ends;

independently-operable elevating means operatively connected between theenclosure and the respective longitudinal ends of said platform forelevationally positioning the platform relative to the enclosure; andstop means on said platform. for limiting movement about said axis so asto maintain the platform in an aligned configuration across said axiswhen supported only by said elevating means.

8. A tank as set out in claim 7 wherein the bottom wall of the enclosureslopes downwardly immediately beneath said axis to permit articulationof the platform while a portion thereof rests on the bottom wall.

1. A treatment tank for burn victims and similar applications,comprising: an enclosure of substantially rectangular configuration atthe top edges thereof; said enclosure presenting an upwardly open recessfilled with liquid; a transversely articulated patient-supportingplatform comprising a plurality of longitudinal portions transverselyhinged to one another and supported by the enclosure for movement in avertical direction within and above the enclosure recess, said platformbeing movable between a raised position adjacent to the top edges of theenclosure and lowered positions beneath the level of fluid within theenclosure; and means within the enclosure in the path of movement of theplatform for arresting movement of a first portion of said platformwhile permitting continued motion and articulation of the remainder ofthe platform relative to said first portion.
 2. A tank as set out inclaim 1 wherein said platform comprises first and second portionspivotally joined about a first transverse axis: and cooperative stopmeans on said first and second portions normally maintaining said firstand second portions in coplanar alignment, but permitting the secondportion to swing about said axis to an angular position extending fromsaid axis downwardly and outwardly from the plane of said first portionwhen the first portion is elevationally supported independently of saidsecond portion.
 3. A tank as set out in claim 2 further comprising:first and second independently operable elevating means operativelyconnected between the enclosure and the respective ends of the platformfor elevationally locating the ends of the platform with respect to theenclosure.
 4. A tank as set out in claim 2 wherein the bottom wall ofthe tank located beneath said second portion of the platform is recessedto an elevation below that of the bottom wall beneath said first portionof the platform, whereby the second portion is permitted continuedmovement after contact of the bottom wall by said first portion.
 5. Atank as set out in claim 2 wherein said first portion of the platform isarticulated intermediate its ends about a second axis parallel to saidfirst transverse axis; and adjustable latching means on said firstportion for rigidly fixing the first portion about said second axis. 6.A tank as set out in claim 2 comprising: first and second wincheslocated outside said enclosure and operatively connected through cablesand pulleys on the enclosure to the respective ends of the platform; andcooperative guide means mounted to the interior of the enclosure and theends of the platform for maintaining lateral spacing of the platformwithin the enclosure.
 7. A tank as set out in claim 1 wherein theplatform is articulated about a first transverse axis intermediate itslongitudinal ends; independently-operable elevating means operativelyconnected between the enclosure and the respective longitudinal ends ofsaid platform for elevationally positioning the platform relative to theenclosure; and stop means on said platform for limiting movement aboutsaid axis so as to maintain the platform in an aligned configurationacross said axis when supported only by said elevating means.
 8. A tankas set out in claim 7 wherein the bottom wall of the enclosure slopesdownwardly immediately beneath said axis to permit articulation of theplatform while a portion thereof rests on the bottom wall.